The construction of Porin Prosessivoima Oy’s new flue gas condenser plant, or the KALTO ’24 project, has got off to a good start.
In the summer of 2023, the company decided to invest in a flue gas condenser plant, which is now under construction in connection with the company’s bioenergy plant in an industrial area in Pori’s Kaanaa district. The flue gas condenser plant will recover waste heat from the bioenergy plant’s flue gas to be used in the district heating network.
“The current flue gas temperature is around 150°C, but it will decrease to about 50°C as a result of the investment. The plant will be able to utilise waste heat in district heating at a maximum level of 40 megawatts. The new plant will also improve energy efficiency and reduce fuel consumption and emissions,” says Arttu-Pekka Alaperä, a representative of the owner of the KALTO ’24 project.
A new landmark, a 90-metre smokestack, has already been constructed
Foundation structures were laid at the construction site last winter and spring, and the installation of the main equipment started in the late spring. The new plant’s most visible structure was completed at the very beginning of June when a new smokestack was erected. Standing at 90 metres, the new smokestack is as tall as the old one, which it is some 50 metres west of the new smokestack. The new smokestack can better withstand the cooler flue gas downstream of the new condenser.
“The project will continue with process installations during the summer, and we will start testing different areas after August. The flue gas condenser plant is due to be completed in the autumn right before the next heating season,” says project manager Timo Linho, who is assisted by a competent project team.
International atmosphere
The main equipment supplier for the project is Babcock & Wilcox Vølund AB, which is supplying the smokestack and flue gas scrubber, among other components. The main contractor of the construction site is MVR-Yhtymä Oy, and the project implementation designer is AFRY Finland Oy. Other companies operating on site include Porin Prosessivoima’s piping contractor ETH-Group Oy and the electricity and automation contractor Lännen Sähköpalvelu Oy. Several other companies also operate on site as subcontractors. At present, six different nationalities, around 30 people in total, can be seen on site.
“We have a very international atmosphere. The safety of the site is not compromised in the slightest, however: every person working on site has been trained and familiarised with the specific requirements of the KALTO ’24 site,” Linho points out.
Main photo: Porin Prosessivoima’s power plant. Photo: Lentokuva Vallas.